Crunchy goodness in my inbox this morning. Thought I'd share. From Seattle Children's press release:
"As parents are shopping for holiday gifts for their children, Dr. Tony Woodward, chief of emergency medicine at Seattle Children’s Hospital, would like to remind them of these 10 important tips on choosing safe and appropriate toys:
- Check the labels to make sure the toy is age-appropriate and matches your child’s skill level.
- Avoid toys with small pieces for children under age 3 – these can become choking hazards. A good rule of thumb: if it can fit in a toilet paper role, it is too small.
- For toddlers and babies, avoid toys with metal parts, cords or strings.
- Avoid letting young children play with toys that have magnets. Warn older children to never put magnets in their mouth.
- For electric toys, only choose ones that say “UL Approved” – this means they have passed certain safety standards.
- Dispose of plastic wrapping and other packaging right away.
- Help your child understand the instructions.
- Check toys often for damage – if a toy cannot be fixed, throw it away.
- If you have older children, remember to keep their toys out of reach of your toddler or infant.
- Sign up to receive recall notices on child products, including toys, from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
For more information and tips on toy safety by age group, click here (PDF)."
